Worried about getting your DOT Medical Certificate?
Anxious about the DOT Physical Examination?
Concerned about the appointment? Will you pass or fail?
Will you need to go back for further evaluation?
Stressed about conditions like diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and what this means for your future as a commercial driver?
Not sure where to find a DOT doctor?
(New Federal regulations state that after May 21, 2014, CMV drivers can get medical certificates only from a National Registry Certified Medical Examiner)
Here’s What You Need To Know:
When you know the rules you’ll be able to get your DOT Medical Certificate with as few hassles as possible.
How to be on the “same page” as the doctor, and relate the demands of your job to the physical examination.
Everything you need to bring to your appointment so you can get it done right, first time.
What to expect so there are “no surprises” during the DOT Physical Examination.
What additional information to bring if you have/had a medical condition that has restrictions.
How to go about getting the required information from your primary care physician, if necessary.
Understand the Medical Certificate qualification periods, and where you fit in.
What about waivers and exemptions.
Where to go if you still need more answers.
Find a Certified Medical Examiner that’s convenient for you.
What Drivers Are Saying…
Allen & Rita, OTR drivers, WA.
As a team driving for Landstar we found this booklet a great help to prepare for our DOT physicals.
We definitely recommend this booklet to any driver, especially new drivers who have not had a DOT physical yet!
It helped to know what to expect and what we needed to bring with us.
•••
Know Before You Go!
Eliminate The Hassles!
Don’t go to your DOT Physical Exam before you’ve read this guidebook. Prepare for everything we’ve outlined! Then it’ll just be a matter of you and a Certified Medical Examiner getting together at the appointment and checking through each item on the Medical Examination Report (Long Form).
Get It Done Right, First Time!
Have everything you need for the appointment! When you and the Medical Examiner are “on the same page”, and you have everything you need to meet all the standards and requirements, you should be done with the DOT Physical Examination and set with your Medical Certificate in about 30 to 45 minutes.
Grab a Complimentary Copy (A $15 value, free)
Know Before You Go!
I am legally blind (but have the eye chart memorized), B/P of 175/220, acute Narcolepsy, and have severe anger issues which resulted in a couple of traffic tickets for aggressive driving while chasing some fool that gave me road rage. My question is: Will this affect me getting my CDL or passing the physical? kidding!!!
@Brad
Trying to memorize that eye chart after lack of sleep, probably caused the high BP. And a combination of all that – no wonder you have anger issues. Kidding!!!
If you fail a D.O.T. physical recertification how long do you have to wait before you can take it again
@Anthony
It will depend on the reasoning for the original disqualification.
Hello I currently have my cdl license, but my dot medical card is expired and im trying to see if I card go get certified for another dot physical card, so I can start back driving truck over the road. But I miss one on the eye exam but I can see all the signs on the road n trucks sign what can I do to obtain my dot card ,so I can support my family better
@Samuel
If I read into this, you are saying you are missing one eye? If that’s the case, then you need to apply to the FMCSA for a vision waiver. You will need to pass the FMCSA medical certificate examination and will need to have a skills performance examination to make sure you are OK to drive. So examination first, waiver second and skills test for the waiver.
I got one good eyes do one okay cricket eye the dmv didn’t want to pass me because I only was able to read the letter chart with my left eye and when I cover the left eye my right eye I wasn’t able to read that chart well after explaining that I can’t see perfect the Dmv clerk from my right side she told me she can’t issue me a driver license then I told her I can see perfect I using both my eyes I read the smallest letter column in the chart. Then the clerk ask me to take a different test, had me walk to a vision testing machine were she had me read the lines and dime the lighting of the letters and I pass them all then ask the dmv supervisor that I read them fast and loud then agree to give me my class c but I have a class a that i only need to renew my medical exam and it will be valid if I don’t I will have to down grade but I don’t want to pay a doctor 90$ to fail my vision test unless they do the same test as the dmv using the vision testing machine. Should I try to validate my class a again or forget about it?
@Tony
FMCSA regulations require that be able to see 20/40 or better in both eyes together AND 20/40 or better with each eye individually, with or without correction (glasses or contact lenses). As a class A driver that will be the standard with no exceptions, unless you go for the vision waiver through the FMCSA. Or you might check with your local drivers license department and see what the requirements are for a class A driver intra-state only.
I was diagnosed with depression at age 16 been dealling with it on and off. I neen admitted twice for suicidal ideations, and then diagnosed with bipolar depression about a yr ago. I took meds for while klonopin and latuda, but am currently off of them. Will this disqualify me from passing a DOT physical. I am not getting a CDL just have to pass physical for driving position chauffeurs license.
@ Barbra
Make sure to take a medical release form from your doctor. It will answer the questions that the examiner has. Also make sure you explain what your driving position is and that you are not trying for a class A OTR driving position. Good Luck
Hi there. My husband is trying to get his medical certificate to drive for UPS in the state of CT. In 2011, he had a brain tumor, which was causing partial absence seizures. He has since had it resected, underwent radiation, and chemotherapy. He has been stable with no growth for the last four years. He has also not had any further seizure activity since the removal of the tumor. He is monitored every four months with MRIs and blood tests by a specialist. We have had his treating doctor provide medical records indicating his stability over the last four years and the absence of any further seizure activity. He was recently evaluated by a CME, and told that no matter whether he was stable or not, if the tumor is listed as “malignant” he cannot be approved. Is this true, or should we seek a second opinion? Thank you for any insight you can provide on the matter!
@ Kim
I would put all the available information together and seek a second opinion.
I got my new medical card in March. I broke my right ankle in April, no surgery needed. Will I need to get a new medical card before I can drive a commercial vehicle? My doctor says I can return to work on June 15th.
@Rick
If the accident took you from behind the wheel, you need a new medical examination to determine your ‘fit for duty’ status. You might want to take the medical release from your doctor with you. It answers most of the CME’s questions before it becomes an issue.
I had neck surgery can I pass
@ Milton
If you are released to return to work and can pass the physical requirements of a CMV operator, then you should be good to go.
I recently failed my DOT physical because of blood in my urine, microscopic not visible. The urine analysis was performed using a urine dipstick. The blood level was listed as 50. I have two questions:
1) How is the doctor able to quantify the blood level, in my case 50, from a dipstick test?
2) What level of blood, if any, is considered acceptable under DOT guidelines?
@Jason
Dipsticks have a variable color which determines the amount of blood in the urine.
Fact is there should never be any blood in your urine, so it needs to be checked out by your primary doctor. If he finds that this is somewhat normal for you, then he needs to fill out a medical release form for you stating what his finding were and what his expectations are.
I have been a drive for 25 years and recently I had a acute stroke. It only effected my balance just a little bit. I was able to walk and function completely on my own two weeks later. If I continue to strengthen myself, and my doctor release me back to work, do you think I will have a good chance of receiving a medical card? And is there a certain waiting time period for all stroke patients that drive interstate? #iknowi’mblissed…..
@Silvia
To continue to drive interstate, you are going to have a one year waiting period (based on where the stroke was located in your brain) before you will qualify for an interstate medical certificate.
You may be able, once your doctor clears you to go back to work, to qualify within your state to drive intra-state only, while you go through the waiting period.
I need to get a DOT physical done to obtain my medical examiners certificate to drive Uber, I live in Colorado and smoke marijuana on occasion to sleep at night. But never driving or anything like that of course. Do I need to disclose that information when I go, and will it cause me to fail and not pass the physical exam? Don’t want to waste my time or money.
@Jessica
Cannabis is an instant disqualifier for a driver in all states. You are not going to pass any drug testing, pre-employment or random. And to drive CDL you are going to be drug tested.
You might want to look in another direction, other than driving.
See…the job I am applying for does not do randoms or even a drug test to get the job.. I am not applying to be a truck driver at all. I also have my medical card.
@Jessica, What you need to understand is that a DOT physical is regulated at the federal level and marijuana is still illegal according to the feds.
So in-spite of the fact that Colorado considers cannabis legal for medical and recreational use, you would still be disqualified for using marijuana.
If I didn’t have a CDL class A license and wasn’t subject to drug testing, I might smoke occasionally but, I am so I don’t.
A urine sample is taken for a DOT physical but, I don’t think a drug screen is part of the physical unless a pre-employment or random drug screen has also been requested.
I am fairly certain you will be asked you will be asked if you use any drugs and you will have to sign the form acknowledging that it is all true and correct.
So, your only choice would be to lie, which could have consequences of it’s own. Good luck!
Hello for years I have wanted to get my cdl. I have been diabetic since age 10. It wasn’t controlled at first but I have been doing well the last two months. I wanna know do they run an a1c at the examiners clinic?
@Paria
In most cases no.
That being said, on the medical intake form you will be ask specifically if you are a diabetic and how are you controlling your condition. Your best bet is to have your medical doctor fill out a medical release form for you before you go take the medical certificate examination. That form will answer most of the questions that will arise from the examination and you will have done it in advance.
I have a class A license in Pennsylvania. I had a serious head injury at work in Dec 2013. I had two seziures the day of the accident. I have been in rehabilitation since then including with a neurologist. He did an eeg test on me and found some “abnormalities” due to the injury.I have been seziure free since then but I am on 500mg of dylantin. I would like to return to driving when I am physically able to do so. Is there any possibilty that I will be able to have a valid medical card as long as my seziures are controlled closely monitored?
@Keith
Probably not going to be going back to interstate driving.
You need to check with your state Drivers License Department to see what the requirements are for an intra-state only commercial drivers.
I had a heart attack in 2011. Had surgery. Had a stent put because of a blockage. Had to get a stress test before I could be re certified. And have had stress test every other year since. How long will I have to continue to get a stress test.
Thank You
@Jeffrey
Pretty much once every two years, according to the FMCSA and DOT.
Hi I recently went for a dot physical for a new hire I take suboxone and have been on it about 13 months I currently have a medical card and it’s only 3 months old my dr said due to character judgment and assination of character u do not need to disclose that your on this medication with your employer like I said I have recently passed a dot physical and many dot randoms with out any incidents or it ever coming up so I due the same with the recent physical the examanor somehow pulled my medical records and disqualified me on the spot pretty much calling me a liar and not letting me give explanation he then called the company immediately without asking to call my dr or for me to bring a letter in or form to give explanation I feel discriminated against keeping in mind I work for DOT currently and in the same field (SANITATION) my dr said the examanor was out of line as I do I feel there is no driving warnings or limitations for this medication nor is it listed as a medical condition on the pre exam paper work this is my livelihood can u comment a explanation would really help thanks
@Mike
As a general statement, it sounds like the CME stepped over his boundaries and has opened himself for legal action against himself.
All you need is a note from your primary prescribing doctor explaining your condition and the need for your medications. Your PCP also needs to confirm that your condition is stable and that the medications are safe and effective. After that there isn’t much more to say.
Hi Mike,
I am not a Dr.
I read your statement and it really makes me angry!!!
I don’t understand these idiots who are clueless as to what this medication is for and how much it helps people like you (and myself). First of all, I take Suboxone because the VA had me on 120 Lortabs per month for over 6 years, then I learned they were doing quite allot of liver damage, I found that Suboxone not only eliminated my withdraws after deciding to stop the Lortabs, but it works better at relieving the pain. YOU DON’T GET HIGH ON SUBOXONE!!! These idiots need to do there research before trying to be a DEA hero. SUE HIS A$$!!!
what if you only used for a few days and no longer use– is that still a disqualifier and if it is how long will it disqualify you?
@Marge
Used what????
I am also on suboxone and went in for my dot physical. She asked me if I was still on it, not sure how she knew I was taking it but failed me on the spot! Anything I can do any help would be Appreciated !!! Thanks
@Josh
Suboxone is a very touchy medication. On a case by case situation, if the medication is being used just like methadone, or in place of, then it is a disqualifying narcotic according to the FMCSA. So no real help for your situation.
If it’s being used for something else, then it’s different situation and needs lots of documentation from your prescribing doctor, along with your medical doctor’s medical release form. And even then it could be a disqualifier.
We have a doctor in our group that has started routinely asking for guys’ blood tests and if they dont bring them or don’t have them is telling them that next time they will either need to get them done or bring in some with them or they will not be certified. A few times now this particular doctor has only given a 3 month certification claiming it was due to the guy being pre-diabetic. In some cases it upset some enough to go to another Doctor who never even mentioned blood tests and went through the physical like usual and gave a 2 year certification. Which doctor is in the wrong here? Are the blood results a new requirement that perhaps the second doctor isn’t following or is the first doctor being extra restrictive? Are there any clear guidelines as to when a blood test needs to be performed or is it totally subjective?
@Chase
The CME’s job is to determine medical fitness for duty, nothing else.
If a CME feels that blood work should be done, he is to request that the patient’s primary doctor perform these test and then supply the CME with the results and treatment plan.
There are NO new guidelines regarding blood work or request for blood work and it’s outside the CME’s guidelines to request such.
Unless the driver/client has a condition which is being treated by the driver’s/client’s primary physician, then the CME is overstepping his guidelines boundaries.
The CME should request a medical release form from the primary doctor, only if the driver is being treated for a condition. If the CME feels that a condition exists that would be an issue regarding the safe operation of a commercial motor vehicle, then he should request that the driver’s primary doctor be involved in the proper diagnosis and treatment of said condition.
That’s what the CME’s job consists of.
I had a Stent put in my heart and have low blood pressure. Will I be able to continue to drive and how soon can i.
@Ray
Once you are completely healed and you have a medical release form completed by your doctor, you should be good to go.
Your medical card will be for one year at a time and you will need to have the medical release form done before you go for your re-certification.
We have a CDL Driver that is currently off work due to a non-work related siezure. His doctor has taken him off work for an extended period of time.
I am concerned about his safety, as well as the safety of others, if he returns to work as a cdl driver. Will he be able to retain his cdl, or will the seizures make him medically inelgible?
@Christi
That will depend on what type and on what medications the neurologist places him on. He will be medically disqualified for some time. And he has an extended waiting period to go through right now, before he could even take another DOT medical examination.
The CME will need documentation from all parties involved before your driver will ever be able to drive interstate again.
does Peripheral Neuropathy keep you from getting a medical card and driving a comercial vehicle
@Bob
If it impedes your ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely, then yes.
This condition is usually progressive, so if you do get through the DOT examination, they will most likely limit your medical card to one year so that everyone is keeping an eye on your progression.
With a medical release from your primary doctor in hand when you do your next DOT physical, you will have answered most of the CME’s questions and will have a much better chance at passing the test without a lot of questions.
I’m in the process of getting my Class A CDL permit. is it necessary for me to bring a medical release form from my Dr?my Dr told me i have a slight heart murmur, but that was back before i got my regular driver’s license will this cause me to fail my dot physical?
@Jordain
A medical release from your doctor stating that he is aware of the murmur and that is not an issue will be a huge help to the CME at the time of the examination, but the murmur should not create any issues.
If you fail a DOT medical exam because the doctor says you need a thyroid test first but you’ve never been told such a thing by your primary care doctor, can you just go to another exam center and get your DOT card?
@ C.J.
Best bet is to check with your primary doctor to confirm that you do not need such a test and have him write a note stating that. If you decide to go elsewhere, give it thirty days before going for a second opinion. Otherwise FMCSA sees it as doctor shopping.
My question is concerning completing the Medical Card. The card asks you to mark Intrastate only, yes or no. I say that means, do you have any health restrictions to your license that would require you to only be allowed to drive in-state. Others feel that it means, will the load you are hauling be only in-state. How do you mark this section of the medical card?
@Gaye
It is based on the driver’s class of license and his medical conditions.
If you are medically fit, it makes sense to get an interstate card.
I’m taking the medication Suboxen, for the past two year under Dr’s care. For depression & withdraw. I am doing grate. I want to get my dot card then my C.D.L. License. Can I get my care while I’m taking Suboxen or who to call to find out? Thanks!
@Terrance
Get a medical release form completed by your prescribing doctor explaining your situation. It will answer some of the CME’s questions and allows him to make the best informed decisions.
Also read our Driver Q&A – Medications. You will find recent comments that relate to your situation.
i have a hernia in my groin area have had it for a while it causes no pain I work out and lift at the wearhouse it does not limit me in any shape or form will this cause me to fail my DOT? To get my class A
@Aj
If it is non-problematic, you should be good to go. You might get a medical release form from your doctor. That will be helpful too.